Best Stock Brokers for Beginners

Interactive Brokers is the best stock broker for beginners, offering a blend of low fees, user-friendly tools and educational resources.

Investing can be intimidating, but the right broker can make all the difference. For beginners, the best stock brokers combine affordability, simplicity and access to educational tools. Whether you’re looking to invest in your first stock or dive into ETFs and mutual funds, picking a platform that aligns with your goals is key. Below, we breakdown the top online brokers that cater to beginners, highlighting their standout features, fee structures and the advantages they bring to first-time investors.

Quick Look at the Best Online Brokers for Beginners:

• Best Overall: Interactive Brokers
• Best for Active Traders: Webull
• Best for Simplicity: Robinhood
• Best for All-In-One Services: Charles Schwab
• Best for Long-Term Investing: Fidelity
• Best for Diverse Investment Options: E*TRADE
• Best for Technical Analysis: moomoo
• Best for Community Insights: Public.com
• Best for Low-Cost Trading: TradeUp
• Best for Social Trading: eToro

10 Best Online Stock Brokers for Beginners

If you’re ready to start investing, these online brokers are top choices that balance usability, low fees and a range of tools tailored to beginners.

1. Best Overall: Interactive Brokers

• Fees: Starts at $0, but tiered and fixed-rate structured pricing is available depending on asset and contract
• Account Minimum: $0 for IBKR Lite, $100,000 for IBKR Pro
• Promotional Offer: The Refer a Friend program lets eligible IBKR clients earn $200 for each successful referral, while their friends have the chance to earn up to $1,000 in IBKR stock

Interactive Brokers (IBKR) is known for offering a powerful platform with an extensive range of investment options, making it a great choice for beginners who want to explore a variety of asset classes. While IBKR Pro is designed for professionals, IBKR Lite offers commission-free trading with a user-friendly experience. New investors can benefit from the platform’s educational resources and research tools, which are among the industry's most comprehensive.

Why We Picked It: Interactive Brokers stands out for its range of investment options, which include global stocks, ETFs, options and even cryptocurrencies. The platform’s low-cost trading and extensive resources make it a versatile choice for beginners who want to grow their skills over time.

2. Best for Active Traders: Webull

• Fees: $0 commissions, but trading fees apply and tiered pricing on other assets
• Account Minimum: $0
• Promotional Offer: Get 20 free fractional shares by depositing $500 - $24,999.99 and maintaining for 30 days

Webull offers a mobile-first experience with powerful tools that even beginners can learn quickly. The platform’s commission-free trades and real-time market data make it ideal for those who plan to be active traders. Webull also features paper trading, which allows beginners to practice with virtual funds before diving in with real money.

Why We Picked It: Webull’s blend of advanced charting tools and user-friendly interface provides a smooth learning curve for beginners while giving them room to grow as more experienced traders. The free stock promotion is also a nice incentive for new users.

3. Best for Simplicity: Robinhood

• Fees: $0 commissions, but trading activity fees apply
• Account Minimum: $0
• Promotional Offer: Earn 3% extra on every annual contribution to your IRA when you subscribe to Robinhood Gold

Robinhood’s sleek and simple platform has become a favorite for first-time investors. With no account minimums and commission-free trades, Robinhood offers a low barrier to entry. The app’s intuitive design and straightforward interface make it easy to buy stocks, ETFs and even cryptocurrencies with just a few taps.

Why We Picked It: Robinhood is ideal for beginners who prioritize simplicity and want a quick, hassle-free way to start investing. Its straightforward design and commission-free trading are perfect for beginners.

4. Best for All-in-One Services: Charles Schwab

• Fees: $0 online trades + $0.65 per options contract
• Account Minimum: $0
• Promotional Offer: Refer a friend program, up to $1,000

Charles Schwab offers a comprehensive range of services that go beyond just trading. For beginners, the platform provides extensive educational resources, including articles, videos and webinars, making understanding the basics of investing easier. Schwab also offers the flexibility of self-directed trading and robo-advisory services, making it a versatile option for new investors.

Why We Picked It: Schwab’s combination of low fees, excellent customer service, and comprehensive tools makes it a top choice for beginners who want more than a basic brokerage account. Its educational resources are also among the best available.

5. Best for Long-Term Investing: Fidelity

• Fees: $0 for online U.S. stock, ETF and option trades
• Account Minimum: None
• Promotional Offer: None

Fidelity is a well-rounded brokerage that offers everything a beginner needs for long-term investing. It features a wide range of funds with no minimums, making it easy to start small. Fidelity is particularly known for its research tools and detailed educational content, helping beginners learn as they grow their portfolios.

Why We Picked It: Fidelity’s focus on long-term investing, combined with no account minimums and comprehensive research tools, makes it a perfect platform for beginners planning for retirement or other long-term goals.

6. Best for Diverse Investment Options: E*TRADE

• Fees: $0 on stocks, ETFs, options and mutual funds. $0.65 on options contracts, $1.50 on futures and $1 on bonds
• Account Minimum: None, but you must fund the account within 30 days to remain open
• Promotional Offer: Get up to $1,000 or more when you open and fund a new brokerage account

E*TRADE has a long history of serving investors with trading tools and resources. The platform is easy to navigate and offers a variety of investment options, including stocks, ETFs, mutual funds and options. For beginners, E*TRADE provides educational resources like online courses and market analysis to help build a solid foundation.

Why We Picked It: E*TRADE’s blend of low fees, diverse investment options and robust educational tools makes it ideal for beginners who want to explore different types of assets as they learn more about the market.

7. Best for Technical Analysis: moomoo

• Fees: $0 commissions, $0.50 index options contracts
• Account Minimum: $0
• Promotional Offer: Deposit $100, get 5 free stocks, deposit $1,000, get 10 extra free stocks

Moomoo is a newer platform that offers a unique mix of commission-free trading and advanced technical analysis tools. It’s particularly appealing to beginners interested in charting and other technical trading strategies. Moomoo’s interface is sleek and offers real-time data, allowing users to taste what professional trading looks like.

Why We Picked It: Moomoo’s focus on technical analysis tools gives beginners an edge if they want to explore more sophisticated trading strategies without overwhelming them with complexity.

8. Best for Community Insights: Public.com

• Fees: $0 for premium members on most assets, $2.99 per trade for non-premium members
• Account Minimum: $5
• Promotional Offer: Get up to $10,000 when you transfer your investment portfolio to Public

Public.com blends investing with social networking, allowing beginners to learn from the community by seeing what others are buying and why. The platform is designed for those who want to invest while staying connected with other like-minded investors. Public’s commission-free trading model and focus on transparency make it a great option for newcomers.

Why We Picked It: Public.com’s unique approach of integrating social features into the investing experience helps beginners learn from others, making it easier to build confidence and make informed decisions.

9. Best for Low-Cost Trading: TradeUp

• Fees: $0 commissions, but regulatory fees apply
• Account Minimum: None
• Promotional Offer: Open and fund a new TradeUP account to win up to 5 free stocks, each worth up to $1,800

TradeUp is another commission-free platform that focuses on simplicity and affordability. It offers a user-friendly app with essential trading tools and real-time data. For beginners who want to start with a minimal budget, TradeUp provides an easy way to access the stock market with no hidden fees or complex features.

Why We Picked It: TradeUp’s straightforward design and low-cost trading make it ideal for beginners who want to avoid high fees and start small while learning the basics.

10. Best for Social Trading: eToro

• Fees: 1% fee on crypto transactions, $0 for stocks and options
• Account Minimum: $10
• Promotional Offer: Deposit $100 and get a $10 bonus

eToro is renowned for its social trading features, allowing users to follow and copy the trades of experienced investors. This makes it a unique option for beginners who prefer learning by observing successful traders in real time. While it’s more focused on cryptocurrency and forex, eToro also offers stocks and ETFs, providing diverse investment opportunities.

Why We Picked It: eToro’s social trading capabilities set it apart from traditional platforms, making it an excellent option for beginners who want to learn from others while building their portfolios.

How Do Stock Brokerage Accounts Work?

Stock brokerage accounts act as the gateway between you and the financial markets. When you open a brokerage account, you deposit funds that can be used to buy and sell securities like stocks, ETFs and bonds. 

Beginners should know that most brokers offer two types of accounts: cash accounts, where you pay the full amount for your investments upfront and margin accounts, which let you borrow funds to trade more than you currently have. Brokerage accounts also provide access to research tools, educational resources and account management features to help you make informed decisions.

How to Choose the Best Trading Platform for Beginners

Finding the right platform involves considering several important factors:

• Fees and Commissions: Look for brokers that offer commission-free trading or low-cost fee structures to maximize your returns.
• Account Minimums: Choose a broker with low or no account minimums, making it easier to start investing even with a small budget.
• Paper Trading or Demo Accounts: Platforms offering demo accounts allow beginners to practice trading with virtual money before committing real funds.
• Execution Speed and Order Types: A broker’s execution speed and the types of orders available (like limit and stop orders) can impact your trading experience.
• Integration with Financial Tools: Brokers integrating with budgeting apps or retirement planning tools can offer a more comprehensive financial experience.
• Account Types: Ensure the platform offers the types of accounts you need, such as individual, joint or retirement accounts (like IRAs).
• User-Friendly Platforms and Mobile Apps: A well-designed platform or app can make trading more accessible and less intimidating for beginners.
• Educational Resources and Research Tools: Look for platforms that offer articles, webinars, and other educational resources to help you learn as you go.
• Customer Support Options: Strong customer support is crucial, especially if you need quick assistance navigating your first trades.

How We Tested Our List of Best Brokerage Accounts for Beginners

To curate our list, we considered a range of criteria:

• Fees and Commissions: We looked for brokers that offer competitive pricing structures, particularly those with commission-free trading.
• Platform Quality: We evaluated user interface design, ease of navigation and the availability of mobile trading apps.
• Educational Tools and Resources: We prioritized brokers that offer educational content tailored to beginners.
• Investment Offerings: Platforms with diverse investment options like stocks, ETFs and fractional shares were given preference.
• Customer Service: We considered the availability and quality of customer support, including live chat, phone and email options.
• Promotions and Bonuses: Special offers and sign-up bonuses added extra value for beginners looking to start their investment journey.

Choosing the Right Broker as a Beginner

Getting started in investing doesn’t have to be complicated. The best stock brokers for beginners provide the right balance of simplicity, educational resources and low costs to help you get your foot in the door. Whether you’re looking for a platform to learn the basics or want something that offers advanced tools as you grow, there’s a broker on this list.

Frequently Asked Questions